LA Auto Show: 2014 Subaru Forester

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Subaru is broadening the appeal of its rugged Forester compact crossover for 2014—by adding more ground clearance, an X Mode off-road setting, more comfortable seating and interior materials, and upscale options such as a power liftgate, Harmon Kardon premium audio, and adaptive cruise control.

While some of those all items reach out to a different kind of shopper—perhaps those moving out of a traditional truck-based SUV—the new 2014 Forester also has a good-looking exterior on its side; simply put, it’s better-proportioned than ever, inheriting some of the details of the recently revamped Impreza small-car lineup but bringing clear influences from the SUV toolbox.

The 2014 Subaru Forester, which Subaru officially pulled the wraps off here at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, is about the same size as the outgoing version, but its somewhat taller roofline and more chiseled look in front help it live up to its new image of being slightly more upscale yet still very much rooted in the outdoors and active lifestyles.

Turbo models have some key differences compared to normally aspirated 2.5i models. The prominent hood scoop is gone from those models, but they instead get a more aggressive, technical-looking lower airdam—plus some distinctive partially blacked-out wheels.

Although the 2014 Subaru Forester models are still several months away from sale, and Subaru hasn’t yet detailed equipment or prices, we’ve already reported on what to expect in the Forester in our full review pages, and we’ve even taken a quick preview drive in the new models.